Jean Gail (Hanley) Carpenter, 86, died Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at Westminster Canterbury of Lynchburg due to complications from dementia. Better known as Gay, she was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, James Douglas Carpenter. She leaves behind children and spouses, Kent and Cheryl Carpenter, Jean and Rick Krason, Jeff Carpenter, and Gwen Carpenter; and four grandchildren, Danny Carpenter, Emma Carpenter, MacKenzie Krason, and Reilly Krason. Born in Montclair, NJ, and raised in Verona, NJ, she was the daughter of Joseph Hanley and Agnes Catherine (Wyble) Hanley. She graduated from Verona High School in 1955 and attended Montclair State College in NJ where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1959. After graduation, Gay taught elementary school at Frederic N. Brown in Verona until 1963. She met her husband, Doug, in New Jersey, and they were married July 14, 1962. After moving to West Caldwell, NJ, they raised a family of four children during which time Gay was an active member of the Junior Women’s Club, AAUW, Home and School Association, a Girl Scout leader, and frequent bridge player. She returned to teaching in 1980 as a middle school and high school math teacher working at South Orange-Maplewood until 1992. Gay and Doug retired in 1992 to Smith Mountain Lake, VA, where they shared their retirement home with numerous relatives and friends, especially their four grandchildren. Gay continued her education career in the Roanoke City school system while leading the STEM program “Praise for Girls”. After retiring, Gay volunteered at the Resurrection Catholic Church in Moneta, VA. She continued as a frequent bridge player and was an active gardener and flower show judge. She also showed off her thespian skills in Bedford, VA with the Little Town Players. A mass will be held at Resurrection Church in Moneta, VA on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Collins Cemetery, Stumptown, WV. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.